Energex is asking drivers if they know what to do if they accidentally hit a power pole, bringing lines down across their car.
Work Group Leader at the utility, Lawrence Hitchcock said knowing the answer could save lives.
“Last year, 264 vehicles hit Energex equipment in South-East Queensland. In many of these situations power lines fell across vehicles or vehicles became stuck in electrical equipment,” Mr Hitchcock said.
“In all these circumstances, the best way to stay safe is to stay in the vehicle, call triple zero and wait for emergency services and Energex crews to arrive.”
Mr Hitchcock said anyone trying to exit a vehicle with powerlines across it, or electrical equipment underneath it, would inadvertently close the electrical circuit and suffer either life-threatening injuries or even instant death.
“Electricity will always take the shortest route to earth and if you step out of a vehicle that has power running through it, that person will become that conduit and risk severe injury or much worse,” he said.
“Similarly, bystanders who think they’re doing the right thing by trying to help people out of a car with lines across it may also suffer a severe electric shock or worse if they touch the vehicle.”
He said they too should stay at least 10 metres away and call triple zero.
However, there might be circumstances, such as a fire, when the vehicle’s occupants had to exit.
He said the safest way get out of the vehicle was to open the door, look for clear ground without wires on it and, whilst keeping feet together, jump as far away from the vehicle as possible, being careful not to touch the car or ground at the same time.
“Once you’re on the ground, shuffle your feet or think like the Easter Bunny and keep jumping with your feet together until you’re at least 10 metres away from the vehicle and wires,” Mr Hitchcock said.
“From a vehicle technical perspective, any automobile that has been exposed to live electricity should not be driven for at least 24 hours and no one should be within 300 metres of it for that time.”
He said voltage could cause a gas chemical reaction within the vehicle’s tyres possibly causing them to explode, or have an effect on the car’s electronics.
